There?s always a first time
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 03 Jan 2012
THE morning after the noisy, mindless New Year revelry, a filmy haze ? smog actually ? slid across like a mask across the old face of the metropolis.
The early morning street I walk through daily in Mandaluyong was free of garbage, there was no lawless clog of human and vehicular traffic.
Suddenly, everything out on the asphalt alley shone honestly new and young ? a dream.
Thanks to the faceless heroes -- the joyless street sweepers and garbage pickers -- who toiled all night long, till the wee hours of the next day, to help lend a happy picture even only for the first minutes of the infant year.
**
When was the last time an early riser had savored one hope-filled local New Year scene?
It was one rare, unforgettable morning, a first of its kind, for most metro dwellers, both young and old.
There?s always a first time.
Thus, a similar question must be asked a bout Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Benjamin Abalos, even Jovito Palparan.
It may have occurred only in their wildest dreams.
But, for both Arroyo and Abalos, it was obviously their first occasion to be arrested and held?
**
There?s always a first time.
But who would?ve dreamt President Aquino would grow fast into a fearless, fighting leader (tyrant?) after several nervous bungles in his first year in office?
Do remember that even the President?s revered mother, Cory Aquino, had a sensational ascent, one that generated boundless hope for total national renewal, only to fall prey to officials she had hand-picked.
For the record, P-Noy has been waging a war against crippling corruption developed into a culture by several crooks officially hired by his mother.
After Cory, didn?t Erap Estrada also trap us into believing and hoping big following his straight-faced ?walang kamaka-mag-anak, walang, kai-kaibigan? inaugural pledge?
**
Noynoy Aquino?
There was nothing new at the start; everything was dragging into the same old rotten routine.
The anti-wang-wang inaugural and the kayo-ang-boss-ko vow were slipping fast into another obscene promise.
Anyway, call P-Noy a slow learner, whatever, but when push came to shove, he firmly stood his ground like his father?s son.
First, he refused to be tricked into granting GMA--who poised the need for urgent medical treatment abroad--despite all the attendant gimmickry resorted into by the accused.
Then, after the Supreme Court, led by Arroyo appointed Chief Justice Renato Corona, tried to save the former President, Noynoy Aquino sprang a legal coup, through the electoral fraud case filed with the Pasay City Fiscal?s Office.
Aquino also denied the request for either house or hospital arrest by the beleaguered former President.
**
No, it was not an entirely neat and popular move but, in the process, Aquino had shown that he has matured fast from an amateurish belly-aching leader into a determined reformer.
His moves, like or not, have provided new hope for the country, albeit momentarily.
Meanwhile, out there in my stretch of metro street, it did not take a whole day for monster chaos to return and take over.
It was back to the boiling nightmare, people and vehicles going any which way they preferred, garbage wantonly raining all over.
Yes, it would take a miracle for cleanliness and order to be regularly restored in the city of our affections.
At least, unlike in that fleeting memorable New Year morning, P-Noy no longer seemed like a soft, fast-fading dream.
In fact, when he shook a mean hand with Justice Corona, the President no longer seemed angry and frantic.
For the first time, he loomed both noble and brave.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Pero Outlasts Thompson in Orlando, Secures Unanimous Decision Victory
Mon, 03 Nov 2025Jonas Magpantay Crowned Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Champion
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Jonas Magpantay reaches Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Finals
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 02 Nov 2025Pistons defeated Mavericks in NBA Game 34 in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 02 Nov 2025GM Antonio finishes 14th in World Senior Standard event
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 02 Nov 2025NONITO DONAIRE FIGHTS SEIYA TSUTSUMI FOR THE WBA BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 02 Nov 2025Luka Dončić Equals Wilt Chamberlain’s Historic Scoring Feat
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 02 Nov 2025THRILLA IN MANILA II RESULTS: JERUSALEM, TAPALES, MARCIAL LEAD WINNERS
By Eric Armit, Sun, 02 Nov 2025Last Pinoy Standing: Jonas Magpantay marches into semis in Qatar World Cup 10-Ball
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 02 Nov 2025WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVII AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL
Sat, 01 Nov 20253 Filipinos Reach Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Last 16, Biado Out
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 01 Nov 2025Joshua Buatsi vs Zack Parker Headlines Manchester Show on DAZN
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 01 Nov 2025NBA Referees will wear headsets during NBA games
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 01 Nov 2025PERO, THOMPSON READY FOR ORLANDO SHOWDOWN SATURDAY NIGHT
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 01 Nov 2025South Cotabato overall champ in Batang Pinoy boxing meet
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 01 Nov 2025